Manchester keeps its graduates up north

A new graduate scheme will aim to keep graduates of Manchester universities in the city by offering work experience, a salary and a Masters degree to ten of the region's current students.

Funded by the Manchester Innovation Investment Fund, the scheme hopes to encourage graduates to stay in the city rather than moving to London.

Graduates of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan and Salford Universities can apply for the scheme, which involves a selection round of Dragon's Den-style grillings.

Successful applicants will receive work experience with four of a range of companies, a £10,000 salary and a rent-free apartment in the city.

Managing director of the marketing firm Tangerine PR Sandy Lindsay, who is leading the scheme, told the Independent: "When students graduate from places like Leeds and Manchester, especially in creative industries they seem to think they need to do their time in London. That's simply not true."

The Association of Graduate Recruiters recently warned businesses not to cut back on graduate schemes to prevent them suffering a lack of talent when an economic upturn comes.